The person measuring the blood pressure places a stethoscope over the artery just below the cuff and
listens for a cessation of the sound of blood coursing through the artery. He or she then begins to release
air from the cuff, allowing blood to flow through the artery again. As air is released, the column of mercury
or air begins to fall, and the person listens for the first thumping sound that signals a return of blood
flow into the vessel over which the stethoscope has been placed. The height of the column of mercury or
the air pressure on the dial at this sound indicates the systolic (or higher) pressure. More air is released